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Volume 1, Issue 7, October 23, 2008 |
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The world might be reeling from the effects of the U.S financial meltdown, but there is good news in the Asian tourism sector. Hong Kong visitor arrivals from mainland China during this year’s National Day Golden Week holidays (Sept. 29–Oct. 5) reached 481,987, an impressive 9.5 per cent more than that of the equivalent period (Oct. 1–Oct. 7) last year.
Hong Kong Tourism Board Chairman Mr. James Tien said the increase in mainland arrivals during the Golden Week could be attributed to the pent-up demand following the Olympics.
In addition, results from an analysis the Air Transport Association compiled for The New York Times indicate 996 non-stop flights were scheduled per week in the third quarter of 2008 from the United States to Asian countries — more than ever before. What’s more, according to the Times, "American Airlines reported that revenue for flights to and from Japan and China grew 12.8 per cent for the first three months of 2008 – greater growth than any other region.”
Travel Industry experts converged this month, in an event called WIT (Web In Travel), to offer timely insights into how travel companies can cope in the challenging times ahead.
“Everyone's watching the global economic situation and wondering and worrying how the US meltdown will affect the Asian economy and, by extension, travel and tourism,” said WIT's producer, Yeoh Siew Hoon. “But wondering and worrying will not give answers nor solve problems. Action is needed and leadership is critical at this pivotal time.”
WIT provided a timely forum for industry leaders in the travel industry to come together to surface ideas that will enable companies and businesses to ride out the storm ahead. 
In an effort to provide more choices of healthy and innovative meals, China Airlines has added another tasty treat to its in-flight menus, serving rice burgers to economy-class passengers on flights from Taipei (TPE) to New York (JFK), and Brisbane (BNE). Over the years, China Airlines has been committed to selecting natural ingredients for its passengers. It has ample experience working with hotels and restaurants in the world. In recent years it has partnered with the Sheraton Hotel to serve ‘Lai Lai fine food’; with the Council for Hakka Affairs to serve ‘In-flight Hakka fine food’ to present an array of innovative, five-star cuisine.
In a move to address the growing demand in luxury business travel in Asia, global air charter broker Blue Star Jets is joining forces with Delivering Asia to open its first Asian office in Hong Kong. To maximize the advantage of the company's best, Blue Star Jets maintains an operational system that locates the aircraft most suited to different travel needs while staying within budget limits, 24 hours a day. With a four-hour notice, the company can provide clients with their plane of choice at over 5,000 private airports across the globe.
Designed to handle 43 million passengers a year, Emirates Terminal 3 has opened in Dubai International airport (DXB). The first phase of the opening will see flights to and from destinations including Kuwait (KWI), Jeddah (JED), Riyadh (RUH), New York (JFK) and Los Angeles (LAX). Later phases will see flights to the Middle East and Africa, Europe, the Indian subcontinent, the Far East and Australia. Emirates offers a range of choices when it comes to checking in for flights. Passengers can opt for the online check-in option and drop off their bags at one of the self-service kiosks when they arrive at the airport. Or, they can check in the traditional way — by arriving at Terminal 3 three hours in advance of the flight for economy class and two hours for first and business class.
First it was supermarkets and petrol stations which began operating ‘round-the-clock’. Now hotels are learning that many guests want the same access to fitness centres. The gym at the Caravelle Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, now operates 24/7. John Gardner, general manager of the Caravelle says, “Increasingly, we’re finding that those running on different clocks want access to the fitness facility in the small hours of the night.” The 128-square-meter fitness centre features fitness equipment such as treadmills, steppers, upright bikes, recumbent bikes, an indoor rower and strength training equipment.
Diners Club International has opened 18 new cardholder club lounges at 14 airport locations in the United Kingdom. The lounges are open to all Diners Club cardholders at the following airport locations in England: Birmingham (BHX); Bristol (BRS); Nottingham (NQT); London Gatwick (LGW); London Heathrow (LHR); Humberside (HUY); Leeds Bradford (LBA); Manchester (MAN); and Stansted (STN). The airport lounges feature a range of complimentary snacks, fresh-brewed coffee, tea, and alcoholic beverages, as well as television, newspapers, and magazines. In addition, all the U.K. lounges offer telephone, fax services, Internet access and business desks.
Jalan Pantai Cenang, Mukim Kedawang Langkawi 07000
Kedah Darul Aman, Malaysia
tel 60 4 955 2388
www.casadelmar-langkawi.com/home.htm
Serene beaches, lush tropical trees, clear blue sky — it doesn’t get better than this. I spent five days at Casa del Mar, Langkawi, Malaysia with my friends and we loved every minute of it. It was truly a stress-free and invigorating journey.
The hotel staff at Casa del Mar was friendly, courteous, considerate and unfailingly helpful — often beyond the call of duty. Upon arrival, we were quickly ushered to our suites on the fifth floor. Our room was clean and comfortable with nice, cosy interior décor. The balcony overlooked the bar and the beach, but it was never noisy. If I am to be exceptionally critical, the room was not a spacious as I had hoped, but overall, it didn't detract from our enjoyment of the holiday.
Being on this tropical island will help you forget the stresses in life. I spent the majority of my stay on the sun lounger. During the heat of the day, fresh fruit and iced fruit cubes were brought to us by waitresses in hula skirts, plus other beverages we ordered from the bar. Our jug of iced water was refilled at frequent intervals.
During the day, I had very little incentive to do anything apart from alternating between lying on the sun lounger, reading or topping up the tan, then cooling off in the sea, with the occasional walk up the beach in the cooler part of the day. Overall, the beach was very quiet and clean — every day it was raked and levelled.
We thoroughly enjoyed watching the sun set over the sea while we ate and the staff went out of their way to be helpful and courteous to guests.
Score: ••••• Joyce Woo
Through Jan. 8 2009, members of Wyndham Hotel Group’s Wyndham Rewards loyalty program will earn double points, airline miles or rail points for each qualified hotel stay as part of the Double Points or Miles promotion. Current Wyndham Rewards members must register for the promotion online at www.wyndhamrewards.com/double. Non-members must join the Wyndham Rewards programme, then register for the promotion. The points can be redeemed for hotel stays or other rewards including airline tickets, resort vacations, name-brand merchandise from the Wyndham Rewards Marketplace and rail points or services at restaurants and stores including Target, and Avis Rent A Car.
To celebrate the advent of the Christmas period, The Mandarin Oriental, Prague has launched two holiday getaway offers: the Advent Special and Christmas Special packages. Starting at EUR 209, the Advent Special package is available from Nov. 28–Dec. 28 and includes accommodation, daily breakfast at Essensia restaurant or in the privacy of one’s room, an early check-in time of 12:00 as well as a late check-out time of 18:00. The Christmas Special package, priced at EUR 179, is available from Dec. 18–Dec. 28. It includes accommodation, daily breakfast at Essensia restaurant or in the privacy of one’s room, special Christmas amenities on arrival, an early check-in time of 12:00, and a late check-out time of 18:00.
Etihad Airways has launched a complimentary new luxury chauffeur service to premium customers travelling to and from Geneva airport (GVA) in Switzerland. Passengers of the airline’s first and business class are eligible for the Etihad Chauffeur service for up to 60-kilometres radius to and from Geneva airport. The airline has selected the Mercedes S series for first-class customers and the Mercedes E series for business-class customers. Geert Boven, Etihad Airways’ executive vice president sales and services, said, “Travelling to and from the airport often can leave passengers feeling pressured, something the new chauffeur service totally eliminates.”
South Korea ’s luxury hotel The Shilla Seoul is offering special promotional rates for its premier suites until the end of the year. In the Leading Suites package, The Shilla’s Studio Suites are priced at KRW 440,000 and Premier Suites at KRW 1,040,000 per night. The prestigious Royal Suite is priced at KRW 2,400,000 per night. Also included in the package is limousine airport pickup from Incheon airport (ICN), access to the executive floor lounge and gym, fresh fruit and wine upon arrival, complimentary buffet breakfast, mobile phone rental and Internet access.
Celebrate Christmas and the New Year with grand parties and countdown fireworks at Veranda Chiang Mai – The High Resort, a luxury spa retreat in the forested hills of northern Thailand. Priced at BHT 32,000, the Festive Season Special package is available from Dec. 22–Dec. 24, and offers three nights in a Valley Deluxe room including a Christmas party with live entertainment. Also included is a spa massage for two, airport transfers to and from Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX), and daily breakfast for two. For arrivals between Dec. 29 and Dec. 31, the New Year’s Eve High Party package offers three nights in a Valley Deluxe room with a grand buffet dinner and live entertainment counting down to 2009 as well as a firework display, priced at BHT 36,900. For reservations email: rsvn-chiangmai@verandaresortandspa.com.
